Sunday, January 06, 2013

Dumber than Smart


A few years ago when I bought my HP PC they included not a single manual but a 3-foot wide foldout with graphics on how to put it together.  The limited written instructions were in a font size that could be read standing over the paper when laid out on the floor.  They they sent me online to learn how to use the PC.  That approach is most challenging if you are new to computers but it is efficient in the word arena if you need to know how to put it together.

With my Droid smartphone they gave me this many opportunities in the photo above to get it wrong and almost be reduced to tears on the day after Christmas.  The font size was 8!   How can an instrument that is primarily designed for communication get is so wrong?   Clearly they never learned the best from Cicero "When you wish to instruct, be brief; that men's minds take in quickly what you say, learn its lesson, and retain it faithfully. Every word that is unnecessary only pours over the side of a brimming mind."  Well, I have definitely brimmed here.  There are videos online that you can watch in the tiny screen to learn more.  They move very fast.  You will have to watch them enough times to memorize them and then perhaps apply.  (Anyone under 50 who is reading this, get over your miraculous selves because you WILL be here someday with some great new technology.)

I eventually went to the store where the phone was purchased and asked the 15-year-old working there if he could transfer my phone book from my old phone.  He fiddled for a while and had the same success that I did.  He took my phone to the computer and fiddled there and had more success.  I forgot to ask him to transfer the dozen photos that I had on the little pink device, but they were not important.  I purchased three screen protectors for the touch screen and a car charger and got out of there for about $40.00!  That used to be the price of a monthly phone bill so long ago.

I have had this phone since December 25 and hubby set it up so that it was ready to run on that day.  I have received exactly one call since then, and it was from my husband in a test call.   I told my husband that I really did not want this phone, but he is stubborn and probably thought I was trying to save money.  Well he was right about that as I am not sure how much more on a monthly basis this gadget will cost us.  My most recent cellular bill was 60$ more than usual, and I hope that means it included the cost of this slick pink thing.  As I said before it will be most easy to drop---compared to the files in the photo below.




I did figure out how to take a photo of someone and then add that as an icon to the favorites box for phone calls,  something hubby did not know could be done.  But he has probably 300 contacts on his phone!

Yes, I am trying to be grateful, but I would have been just as happy with a box of French chocolate truffles.

I have little use for the "APPs" except the GPS and mapping device which is like my Garmin GPS!  So, now I have two ways to get lost and two computer voices to ask me to make a U-Turn at the next available opportunity.  The game APPS are not free and who on earth can see stuff that small in order to play if you are waiting in a doctor's office?  I no longer need to carry a pocket calculator...I guess that is one of the things that will be obsolete in the future.  I do not know the difference between an APP and a WIDGET though.



If you keep your phone on off most of the time in your purse and IF you have connected to FaceBook via your phone, be aware when you boot it up that it will go back an eternity to update you on your FB notifications!!!   See the very top line in the phone screen shot below.  It does not let you know who is making these comments as it scrolls and updates, so it is less than useful.



Yes, I am trying to be grateful, but I would have been just as happy with a box (or a dozen boxes) of French chocolate truffles.

23 comments:

  1. I have a simple cell phone that does basically nothing except calls which I don't use it for as out here we don't get cell phone coverage and in town I often forget to turn it on or I did turn it on and it's run down. I do though love that my husband has a smart phone as when we are on the road, it's very handy. I also love that he's the one that has to figure out how to use it when we are trying to find where a hotel will be that takes cats.

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  2. Maybe that tiny font will drive people to get tablets - so that they can tether the display from the phone over to the tablet, and actually be able to READ the damn thing.

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  3. I'm on your side. When I realized that pay phones are practically non-existent any more, I gave up. I do not want another monthly bill or a 2 year contract so I bought a Trakfone. It really doesn't do much and I like it that way. I pay for a years worth of days and get many minutes. I refuse to give out the number as I spent 40 years on call and I refuse to be "on call" in my retirement. I do drive in the country and in case of an emergency can call for help. Still have over a thousand minutes left from last year. Maybe I will try some of the other features this year. I may even try getting to the internet. Or maybe not.

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  4. I got my iphone from my son a year ago and am still learning how to use the damn thing. It has a personal hotspot which has come in handy where I live. BUT, last nite as one grand was texting me, one SIL was private messaging on FB, at the same time I was trying to read an article on Navy fighter jets, my mother called... I came close to loosing the small bits of mind I have left.

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  5. Anonymous1:41 PM

    I only got a cell phone for emergencies! The only time I turn it on is when I am meeting my son for lunch. He always calls about 5 minutes before we are to meet to tell me he is only a block away! bkj

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  6. I think you have just convinced me that I do NOT need a smart phone. My little flip phone is seldom used, and then mostly for texting my kids. My new, non-fancy Kindle paperwhite (black and white) works great for replacing heavier books. My 14 inch HP laptop with Windows matches my PC and it easy to use and to take when we travel. I guess I'm good for now. I really do prefer viewing the world I love to having my nose in an electronic device, as so many people do these days.

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  7. So far I'm hanging onto my my simple little call only phone. I need it out here in the boonies along with my triple A. I'm past changing tires or walking long distances for help. I keep it in my pocket so if I fall on my face again I can call my kids. ;-) My contract is nearly up and then I'm getting a cheaper Tracfone as well.

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  8. I am MORE than happy with my dumb phone. I don't think I could handle a smart phone. I begged my hubby not to upgrade my ipod shuffle and he did anyway (why do they do that???) and it took me forever to figure out that little thing. Ugh.

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  9. My 74-year-old mother does not understand why i don't want an iPhone; i told her i have no use for a phone that is smarter than i am.

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  10. I got a new cell phone too. It is not a smart phone. It is easier for texting and that is how most of my family members communicate these days. I used to be a real tech wizard but technology has left me in the dust and I feel like a slug anymore.

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  11. I am in the market for a phone, and soon, as mine will not hold a charge any more. I dread looking for one and I hope I can resist the bells and whistles. They really shouldn't be that hard to learn how to use them.

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  12. haha...my kids work a phone better than me, its crazy....i was actually debating with my wife on getting rid of my phone...she wants me to have one for emergency purposes which is probably smart...so i will probably get the cheapest plan i can just to have...

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  13. I've never opened a box of truffles and felt the need to dial tech support.

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  14. I do not want one of these.

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  15. I swear I got drunk on truffles one time - or was that petit fours? Ah, sugar rush on an empty stomach.

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  16. Perhaps if you text your hub around the first of next December--choc truffles--he will get it right in 2-13.

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  17. I will stick with my Droid....
    Good luck
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  18. I still use my landline. I hope it doesn't go obsolete before I do! I have a little flip cell that is still smarter than I am but I've learned to make and receive calls on it. I can even access my voice mail. I'm good to go!

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  19. I really shouldn't laugh. So sorry. I kept my small clamshell phone, and use it only for emergencies. I pay about ten bucks a year for this luxury, but my truck is now 17 years old. There are times I want access to AAA and my service writer. LOL Sometimes I lose G too. Rain and I have lots in common.

    You inspire all of us.

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  20. I see people pecking away at those little devices and experience no desire to have one.

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  21. I'm just about to get one of the new-fangled phones via UPS today in fact! My husband has done me this kind (?) service as well... though not as a Christmas toy. I can just imagine how comical it will be when I call my daughter fifteen times a day to ask how to do this or that on that thing. I'll be happy if I learn how to answer a darned call! Tabor... it is SO refreshing to see you after my long hiatus!! Very nice of you to stay tuned in somehow... I need to really review a few changed they've made to Blogger... I need to check my browser, etc. I thought I was about as updated as one could be with browsers, etc... but maybe not. So good to read you again!

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  22. Oops, not the greatest success as a present, I take it.

    I have a very old fashioned ordinary cell phone, with not an App anywhere. It stores numbers, lets me text and tells me who the caller is, that’s all I need.

    But I am going to buy myself a tablet. I think. I will. Yes, I will. I think.

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  23. Anonymous2:34 AM

    Hurray for truffles and boo for tiny print!

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